^^ Why would you include the delay costs in completion but not in cancellation?

Cranley: "Feds will cancel contract, deal will start unwinding by itself." So goal in pausing was actually to cancel? Deceit is malfeasance. And now you have the legal justification for a recall.

 

Chris Seelbach ‏@ChrisSeelbach 1m

Cranley just compared the Streetcar project to the BP oil spoil in the ocean.  This is not a joke.  That was really his comparison.

 

Recall the SOB.  :x

^^ Why would you include the delay costs in completion but not in cancellation?

 

I'm not sure if the audit included the delay costs in the termination costs or not. I believe it was included. I think a lot of the delay costs involved remobilizing and may have considered demobilizing a sunk cost. They don't outline every detail in the audit with precision. The 68.9 Million continuation costs before delay I believe is the cost the city has set aside for the project. It is also possible that the "delay" aspect of the continuation would be covered in the contingency funds for the project and not actually increase the total cost of continuation as outlined.

 

Cranley: "Feds will cancel contract, deal will start unwinding by itself." So goal in pausing was actually to cancel?

 

Just like Chris Christie.  So while Cranley was out there squandering taxpayer dollars he voted for himself in Price Hill, he was watching Christie scuttle the ARC Tunnel, then rise to national prominence.  He's attempting the same thing here. 

So defaulting on contracts is what he means by "fiscal responsibility?" Nothing builds a credit rating like a few breach of contract lawsuits.

I doubt council would allow a breach. They'll vote to cancel if the feds take the money.

Just like Chris Christie.  So while Cranley was out there squandering taxpayer dollars he voted for himself in Price Hill, he was watching Christie scuttle the ARC Tunnel, then rise to national prominence.  He's attempting the same thing here. 

 

Yep.  But one thing at a time. 

 

1) Right now, we need to work on Mann and Flynn, hoping that they see the light. 

 

2) Someone with a connection at the FTA needs to plead with them to bear with us while we give the citizens the right to vote on this.  That's 120 days max.  Yanking the funding on Friday only helps Cranley, which is something I hope they don't want to do.

 

3) If #1 fails, we need to get some serious press time for the next 120 days to sell the project.

 

4) After the vote, we can start looking into recalling Cranley, or altering the charter to specify a mechanism to do so and then recalling Cranley.

I doubt council would allow a breach. They'll vote to cancel if the feds take the money.

 

Canceling is a breach of contract.

Cranley talked about 3CDC's ROI in his presser.  Omitted was one big reason it's good:  because they've enjoyed a virtual monopoly on OTR redevelopment which has kept rents high.  It was interesting to read a couple of weeks ago that one of their tenants on Vine Street has to move because he can no longer afford the rent.  That's what this is all about.  The guy who came up with the Hop-On-Cincinnati idea also is a big real estate developer.  Bottom line:  the big guys don't want the competition that the streetcar will spur.

^ Breach of several contracts, actually.  Messer-Prus-Delta, CAF, the various utilities, etc.

So for a council vote to occur to restart construction, either Cranley must call for a vote (won't happen) or Flynn & Mann have to join the other four to get a two-thirds majority to call for a council vote to restart construction.

 

Otherwise, without a council vote, the project is dead. Thus Cranley's request to pause the project wasn't his intention. His intention of "pausing" was actually canceling. He specifically said that was his intention when speaking to the Enquirer's editorial board earlier today.

 

FYI: Cindi Andrews at the Enquirer tweeted: @FlynnForCincy, who hasn't returned calls today, will have to run gauntlet of media to get to 1:30 mtg. Veto-proof vote to restart is up to him.

 

More.....

 

Tana Weingartner ‏@TanaWeingartner 7m

More than 70 people signed up to speak at City Council and still counting. Chambers full, people in balcony too. #cincystreetcar

Cindi Andrews ‏@cindiincincy 5m

 

Flynn: There have been some productive talks this am - still looking for solution. Feel more comfort than tue that op costs can be covered.

 

Angenette Levy ‏@Angenette5 37s

 

Kevin Flynn says conversations ongoing with people today about private $$$ for streetcar funding. Won't reveal who @Local12

I have to believe that Flynn will see the light.  I don't know who he's been talking to this morning, but the fact that he is having conversations with the business community about funding operations seems hopeful, as does his statement that he feels more comfortable than he did on Tuesday.  To keep my sanity intact, I'm going to take him at his word, and hold out some hope.

 

I hope David Mann has a long talk with Flynn regarding why he is comfortable voting to proceed at this point, after getting assurances from SORTA that operational funding will be covered, and seeing the audit numbers.

^^sorry. You're right. I've just been thinking about the idea that council doesn't need to pass a cancelation ordinance (they probably will).

I would recommend sending letters to Mann urging Flynn to change sides.

I have to believe that Flynn will see the light.  I don't know who he's been talking to this morning, but the fact that he is having conversations with the business community about funding operations seems hopeful, as does his statement that he feels more comfortable than he did on Tuesday.  To keep my sanity intact, I'm going to take him at his word, and hold out some hope.

 

I hope David Mann has a long talk with Flynn regarding why he is comfortable voting to proceed at this point, after getting assurances from SORTA that operational funding will be covered, and seeing the audit numbers.

 

It was a positive sign he was not indulging the media this morning, but rather looking for a solution (apparently).

I got a nagging feeling that "miraculously" they'll come up with 6 votes to continue, sparing Cranley the responsibility. This all just smells fishy. The cynic in me knows, though, that I'm an idiot and my silly optimism will be crushed by stark reality.

Jason Williams ‏@jwilliamscincy 4m

Trolley-style bus op. cost = $4.4M, according to HopOn Cincinnati. #cincystreetcar op. cost = $3.5M (high end), per KPMG

All of the people speaking out against the streetcar sound like morons. 

^ It really does make an interesting comparison looking at supporters arguments side-by-side with opponents.  You can really tell who is informed. For and against are pretty even as far as the number of speakers, but if you look at substance, it's no contest.

Seems there's been a pro-streetcar speaker regaling socialism.  A plant???

Just watching from afar, but a lot of the comments being relayed on Twitter paint opposition in very negative light. Mostly negative emotional pleas instead of fact based speeches.

I don't know I feel about RTA's downtown trolleys being used as an argument against the streetcar...

Some speaker compared the streetcar to:

 

-Hitler

-Nazi's

-Muslim extremists

-racism

-socialism

 

and tied it all to Obamacare

 

He was followed by a man dressed as Santa Claus who was drunk and didn't know you have to hold down the button to talk.  No one knows his position on the streetcar

I saw those two people speak.  Ridiculous

 

I also can't believe what Cranley just said to the gentleman who spoke on behalf of the construction jobs being lost from the streetcar pause/cancellation.  Cranley actually said, "Sorry, but that's the way it goes."

Ironworker comes to council to talk about restarting the project.

 

Cranley's response: We'll find work paving streets.

 

I'm sure ironworkers are highly valued in street paving work.

 

Seelbach's response: The mayor does not have the authority to reallocate those funds to repaving.

Will all the cancellation costs have to come out of the operating budget?

That would be doomsday  for the city.

91.7 WVXU ‏@917wvxu 6m

Speaker: Cincinnati is not going to be known as the Queen City, but the Quit City.

Willie Carden, the guy who Cranley first tapped as his city manager but then bowed out, has put his name on the list to speak today. Media is intrigued....

Willie Carter.

Some speaker compared the streetcar to:

 

-Hitler

-Nazi's

-Muslim extremists

-racism

-socialism

 

and tied it all to Obamacare

 

He was followed by a man dressed as Santa Claus who was drunk and didn't know you have to hold down the button to talk.  No one knows his position on the streetcar

 

What we're actually seeing here is how Hitler, etc., rose to power.  All emotion, no facts. 

 

Tom Luken needs to give it up

Willie Carter.

 

Chris Wetterich ‏@ChrisCinciBiz 15m

The identity of a future speaker has aroused the media's interest: Willie Carden.

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20131207/NEWS010801/312060122/Carden-withdraws-Cranley-bummed-out-

Quit City.

Willie Carter.

 

Chris Wetterich ‏@ChrisCinciBiz 15m

The identity of a future speaker has aroused the media's interest: Willie Carden.

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20131207/NEWS010801/312060122/Carden-withdraws-Cranley-bummed-out-

 

I thought I saw that he tweeted that it was actually a guy named Willie Carter.

I copied his tweet as-is. If correct, it should be interesting.

I saw those two people speak.  Ridiculous

 

I also can't believe what Cranley just said to the gentleman who spoke on behalf of the construction jobs being lost from the streetcar pause/cancellation.  Cranley actually said, "Sorry, but that's the way it goes."

 

The lede should be Job Killer John vs Ironworkers.  Tragic.

I copied his tweet as-is. If correct, it should be interesting.

 

It's not Carden.

Tom Luken needs to give it up

 

The wise & mighty (& mostly silent) admin speaks!

The voice of reason and Mr. Streetcar John Schneider speaks to Cincy Council today......

 

 

He noted that the KPMG audit was unfair as it didn't include ROI. On the cancellation side, there is very high risk due to possible litigation. On completion side, there is low risk.

Kevin Osborne ‏@kevinwcpo 1m

Jeff Frazier: If cancel, "the cost to our reputation is going to be absolutely huge;"will be known as "city on the river that can't deliver"

 

EDIT:

 

Kevin Osborne ‏@kevinwcpo 2m

Charter Committee issues statement on streetcar: "It is fiscally irresponsible to cancel"

 

Councilman Kevin Flynn is a charter committee member. Not sure if that is a leading indicator.

 

EDIT2:

 

Cindi Andrews ‏@cindiincincy 4m

Charter Pres Colin Groth told me earlier re Flynn: We don’t tell anyone how to vote but will be communicating our views with our members.

Why did Tom Brinkman feel the need to lie?

oh yeah, freedom of speech...

Kevin Osborne ‏@kevinwcpo 4h

David Mann: Given operating costs in audit & SORTA's pledge, "it seems to me our risks are acceptable" @wcpo #cincystreetcar

 

P.G. Sittenfeld ‏@VotePG 2m

Crazy scenario: Flynn votes 'No' on going fwd (5-4 vote) but then 'Yes' on over-riding veto out of deference to process & Council majority

I could be wrong but I thought I heard on  readio that Amy murray was noncommittal about her vote? She is clearly against it but apparently the numbers have given her a little pause

Are they actually expected to vote on the streetcar today?

Are they actually expected to vote on the streetcar today?

 

No. That's tomorrow.

A non-copyrighted press release.....

 

http://www.chartercommittee.org/1/post/2013/12/build-the-streetcar.html

 

Build the Streetcar

12/18/2013

 

Today, the KPMG independent audit of the streetcar project was released and the numbers fell in line with the projections put forth by the administration.  The report stated, “The annual operating and maintenance costs estimated by the City appear reasonable and adequately supported.”

 

As a result, the Charter Committee of Greater Cincinnati encourages City Council and the Mayor to continue the streetcar project.

 

Colin Groth, President of the board said, “If we cancel the project, we are spending 100% local money to cancel.  If we complete the project, nearly half the remaining cost is covered by federal money.  It is fiscally irresponsible to cancel, to give over $40 million to another city, and to have nothing to show for it.”

 

As we said in our earlier statement, we see the pause of the streetcar project as an opportunity to build consensus from public and private partners on a solution-oriented approach to this critical issue.

 

For the first time since the early stages of this project, private and philanthropic individuals have stepped up to offer assistance.  They have offered time and resources.  They are willing to help.  We urge Council and the Mayor to take them up on that offer.

 

Under the current system, the Mayor and Council act as a Board of Directors and the Administration acts as the professional management.  We commend the professional management for their accuracy in their work, as shown by the independent audit.

 

To Council and the Mayor, build the streetcar.  It is fiscally responsible and offers the opportunity to open a broader conversation around the potential of future public-private partnerships and a regional rail plan.

 

###

91.7 WVXU ‏@917wvxu 2m

Believe in Cincinnati says it has about 11,000 signatures to put streetcar issue on the ballot.  Still counting signatures.

 

EDIT: they needed only about 5,800 to put it on the ballot but the smart petition signature collection effort gets double the signatures needed in case many are ruled invalid due to lack of voter registration, incorrect addresses, or petitioners improperly representing what the petition effort is about.

After 3 hours, 45 minutes, the public comment on the Cincinnati Streetcar has concluded. There were 103 speakers today: 71 in favor, 28 opposed & 5 mixed. Tomorrow is when a council may vote on canceling or restarting the project. However, can council initiate a vote? I thought only the mayor can initiate a council vote? If so, then why would Cranley initiate a vote? If streetcar construction stays paused at midnight tomorrow, the feds pull their funding and the project is dead.

 

BTW.....

 

Kevin Osborne ‏@kevinwcpo 1m

Flynn still believes a deal may be reached by Thursday to cover operating costs; if not, though, he won't be 6th vote to overturn a veto

 

Kevin Osborne ‏@kevinwcpo 4m

Flynn: Actual $ for operating costs aren't needed by Thurs, just a legal guarantee from private entities they would cover any shortfall

 

Kevin Osborne ‏@kevinwcpo 3m

Flynn on recent phone calls: "The conversation I just had got me a lot closer than I was this morning;" but won't say yet who it was with

 

P.G. Sittenfeld ‏@VotePG 2m

Crazy scenario: Flynn votes 'No' on going fwd (5-4 vote) but then 'Yes' on over-riding veto out of deference to process & Council majority

 

Is this an option, not sure how the council bylaws work?